Type-writing machine.



PATENTED MAY 19, 1908.

, 12,0. 'STIOKNEY. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

HH OD N m (i 3 w? S 3 on mm APPLICATION PILED APE. 23, 1902.

BURN'HAM C. f TIGKNEY, OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 19, 1908.

Application filed April 23,1902. Serial 1 10. 104,245.

To allwhom it may concern:

. Be it known that I, BURNHAM C.-ST10K- NEY, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and resi-- dent of the city of Elizabeth, county of Union andState of New'Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Type-Writing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the type actions of writing machines, andespecially those in which type bars strike upon the frontside ofa'platen. i

The object of the invention is to provide an improved constructionwhereby the touch of the keys may be rendered less fatiguing, and alsowhereby the touch may be regulated within wide limits.

-My invention consists in certain combinations of devices, features ofconstruction and organizations of parts, all as will be fullyhereinafter set forth and particularly pointed out in the concludingclaims.-

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section takenlongitudinally of a front strike writing machine embodying my presentimprovements. -At this figure are shown in full lines two key actions ortype actions, 'one in normal and the other in printing position, theparts being adjusted for a yielding or elastic key touch; while indotted lines is shown the-printing position of a key lever. when givenan easy stroke by the finger. There is also shown in dotted lines anadjustment whereby the touch of all of the keys is rendered hard, atwhich adjust- 'ment none of the keys can be pressed down to the positionof the full-line depressed key. Fig. 2 is a plan showing the rearportion of the base, together with the major portion of thetouch-adjusting mechanism, some of the key-levers being also indicated.The adjustment of the touch-regulating mechanism corresponds to thatshown in full lines at Fig. 1.

In the several views similar parts are designated by similar numerals ofreference.

The machine frame may consist of a rectangular base .1, corner posts 2,and top plate 3. (Iver the last may run a carriage (not orizontalshown), having a platen 4.- and types 5 may -be carried by a curvedsystem of 7 type bars 6, pivoted at their inner or rear ends upon acurved fulcrum wire 7, so as to strikerearwardly against the front sideofthe platen. The hubs of the type bars may work in slots 8 out radiallyin a segment 9, secured at its'ends to brackets 9 depending from the toplate 3. Keys 10 may be connected to t e type bars by means ofhorizontal key leversl'l of the second order, extending rearwardlybeneath the type bars, links 12 being connected at 13 to the key leyersand extending directly u to the type bars, to which they are attache at14. The

types may be otherwise connected tolthe keys within the scope of mypresent improvements.

In operation, a keyis de ressed, forcing down t e key lever 11, and tirough the link 12 swingin the type bar up to print. The parts may ereturned to normal position by a draw spring 15, hooked at its lower endto an ear 16 formed on the link 12, and caught at its upper end over ahorizontal bar 17 suitably supported upon the framework and arrangedacross the machine in rear of the links. The movements of the apercarriage may be controlled by a curve universal bar 18, actuable in ahorizontal direction by the hub or lower portion of any typebar, and

having suitable connections, as indicated at 19, whereby it may operatethe usual letter spacing dogs (not shown). Said universal bar may, asusual, be rovided with a returning spring (not shown to cooperate withthe spring 15 -in returning the type bar and key to normal position; andboth the universal bar spring and the spring 15 may beadjusted asrequired, to secure prompt return action of the type bar and carriagefeeding mechan-- ISInS.

In the present instance each key lever at its rear 'end bears u againsta yielding fulcrum, which is pre erablyin the formof a spring finger ortongue 20, secured at its rear end by a screw 21 to the under side of atransverse bar 22, and at its forward end bifurcated at 23 to receivethe rear end of the key lever, to which it is pivotally connected at 24.The spring fingers are secured side by side along the bar 22, one fingerfor each key lever, whereby stress put upon the lever by the finger ofthe o erator, the other levers are unafiected. ach of said springfingers is preferably so stiff that at the depression of a key withmoderate speed the type bar is carried to the platen and makes animpression thereon without a prcciablc flexure of said finger; but whent e and gives an extra yielding action to the key,

key is struck sharply, said finger yields,

when one fulcrum yields under the made very prompt by. puttingsufficient tension upon the springs 15 and the usual universal-barspring, without however rendering the touch harsh, inasmuch as suchadjustment does not affect the yielding action of the key-lever fulcrum.

One of the main features of my present improvements consists inproviding spring fingers for this .)urposc which are adjustable so as toregulate the yielding action of the key levers. This adjustment ispreferably effected by moving the spring fingers bodily, without howeverdisturbing the key levers, so that the latter may have more or lesspurchase upon the fingers. To this end I mount the bar 22, which carriesthe spring fingers, upon a pair of arms 25, one at each end of thebarfand these arms are pivoted to the opposite side walls of the base at26, whereby the bar 22 and the springs thereon may swing up and downabout an axis'26 which is coincident with the pivots 24 of the keylevers, the latter hence ren'iaining stationary during the adjustmentsof the bar and the spring fingers thereon. It will be observed that whenthe bar is swung to its lowermost position, as at 22, Fig. 1, the springfingers or fulcrums stand vertically, that is, at rightangles orcrosswise to the key levers, so that the latter exert stress lengthwiseof the spring fingers, with no tendency to flex the latter, and hencethere is praoticallyno yielding action of the levers, and theycan bedepressed only to the dotted line position. The position of the bar22.niay bevaried between the extremes illustrated, thereby enabling themachine to be adjusted to suit the requirements of different operators.This adjustment is preferably effected by means of a gear 27 'formedupon the left-hand arm 25, which meshes with. a worm 28 mounted upon therear end of a forwardly extending horizontal shaft 29, mounted in lugs30 and car rying at its forward end a knurl or fingeriece 31 at thekeyboard of the machine. %y this means very fine adjustment of the keytouch may be effected.

By making the spring fingers of proper stiffness, and so proportioningthe connec tions from the key to the type bar that the normal dip of thekey is slight, the keytouch may usually prac It will be seen that theextra yielding rendered much stiffer than is' cable, and may also, atthe be adjusted to some intermediate point, and

without the necessity of altering the tension of the usual key-leverreturning spring .(as 15) or the usual universal-bar spring, which.after being once set to secure the proper action of the mechanism, neednot be disturbed when adjusting the touch of the keys; so thatthe'machme may be originally set to act as promptly as desired for bothhard and soft key strokes, without the least liability of the-operatorthereafter deranging the action of the delicate carriage-feeding.n'lechanism-in his attempts to adjust the key touch.

Certain features herein shown are described and claimed in my pendingapplication No. 93,698, filed Feb. 12, 1902, and also in my applicationNo. 97,837, filed March 12, 1902. 4

Il aving described my invention, 1 claim:

1 Ina typewriting machine, the combina-.

tion with a series of type bars of a series of keys, a series of leversbetween the keys and the type bars, a series of yielding fulcrums forsaid levers, and means for elfeciing a change in the relative positionsof said levers and said fulcrums to vary the purchase of the levers uponthe fulcrums to alter the resistance of the keys to the touch.

2. in a typewriting machine, the combina tion with a series of type barsof a series of keys, a series of lovers between the keys and the typebars, a series of yielding fulcrums for said levers, and means foradjusting said fulcrums siimlltaneously to different positions so as tovary the purchase of the levers thereon.

3. In a typcwriting machine, the combination .with a series of types ofa series of keys, at SQlGS of lovers between the types and the keys, aseries of yielding fulcrums to which said levers are attached, and asupport whereon said yie ding fulcrui'ns are carried, said support beingadjustable to different positions with reference to said levers so as tovary the direction in which the thrust of the levers is received by thefulcrums.

In a typewriting machine, the combina tionwith a series of type bars ofa series of keys, a series of lovers between the keys and type bars, aseries of adjustable spring lingers which form fulcrums for the levers,and a support for said spring fingers.

5. In atypewriting machine, the combination with a series of types ofaseries of keys, a series of levers between the keys and types, a seriesof spring lingers which form ful crums for the levers, and means forvarying the relative arrangement of said levers and said spring fingersin such a manner as to al ter' said levers "keys, type bars,

tion with a series of type bars of a series of keys, a series of leversbetween the keys and types, a series of spring fingers or tongues whichform fulcrums for the levers, and means for adjusting said springfingers to different positions so as to vary the purchase of the leversthereon.

7. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a series of type barsof a series of a series of levers between the keys and a series ofspring fingers which form fulcrums for the levers, and means foradjusting all of said spring fingers simultaneously about a point oraxis substantially coincident with the points of contact betweensaidlevers and said fingers. 8. In a typewriting machine, the combinationwith a series of type bars of a series of keys, a' series of leversbetween the keys and type bars, a series of spring fingers to which arepivoted at their fulcrum points, a hinged support for said springfingers, and means for adjusting said support.

9. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a series of type barsof a series of of levers between the keys andkeys, a series type bars, aseriesof spring fingers to which Y said levers are pivoted at theirfulcrum points, and a support for said spring fingers, said supportbeing hinged upon the framework, and the axis of the hinge substantiallycoinciding with said lever pivots.

10. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a series of type bars,a series of levers connected thereto, a series of spring fingers uponwhich said leversbear at their fulcrum points,

the framework.

'11. Ina typewriting machine; the com bination of a series of typebars,aseries. of key levers of the second order connected thereto, a seriesof springs to Which-the rear ends of said key levers are pivoted, saidsprings being forked to receive the ends of the levers, and extendingrearwardly therefrom, and an ad ustable'transverse bar to which saidsprings are secured. at their rear ends.

12. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a series of type bars,a series of key levers of the secondorder connected thereto, a series ofsprings to which the rear ends of said levers are pivoted, a transversebar to which said s(prings are connected at their rear ends, an armsextending from; the ends of said bar, said arms being ivoted upon theframework substantially in me. with the pivots of said levers. I 13. Ina typewriting machine, the combination of a 'series of typebars,'a,series of 'levers connected thereto, a seriesof spring finers towhich said levers are connected at their fulcrum oints, said fingersconstituting fulcra for the evers, and means for swinging tially parathereof such that during nation with a series g-for'swingmg said bar:wardly about an axis substantially coincident with the pivots of thelevers.

and a bar carrying ,saidspring fingers and adjustably mounted upon crumsfor said levers, and

. thereto, for effecting such said spring fingers from-a positionlongitudinal of said levers to a position crosswise thereof.v

14. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a series of typebars, of a series of levers connected thereto, a series of springfingersto which said levers are connected at their fulcrum oints, saidfingers constituting fulcra for the evers, and means for adjusting saidsprin fingers-from a position substanlel with said levers to a positionsubstantially at right angles thereto, and for holding said fingers atintermediate positions.

15. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a series of type bars,a series of le vers connected thereto, a series of spring fingers towhich said levers are connected attheir fulcrum oints, said fingersconstituting fulcra for the evers, and means for adjusting said s ringfingers from a position longitudinal 0 said levers to a positioncrosswise the printing strokes said levers exert only a pull upon saidspring fingers without flexing the latter.

16. In a typewriting machine, theicombi- 0 type bars of a seriesofrearwardlyextending key operated levers of the second order connectedthereto, a series of spring fingers pivoted to the rear ends 'of saidlevers and extending rearwardly therefrom, a bar to which said springfingers are connected at their rearends, and means downwardlyand for-17. In a front strike writing machine, the combination of a series ofrearwardly striking type bars; a series of levers of the second orderbearing keys at their forward ends and extending rearwardly beneath thetype bars; a series of links extending upwardly from the key levers tothe type bars; a series of draw springs attached to said links a seriesof fiat springs forked at their forward ends to receive the rear ends ofthe levers and ivoted thereto; a transverse bar to which tie rear endsof said springs are secured; and for-' wardly extending arms at bar,said arms being ivoted to the framework substantially in line with saidkey lever ivotsi 18. In a typewriting machine, the combination with aseries of type bars of a series of keys, a series of levers between thekeys and the type bars, a series of yielding fulmeans, including a theends of said worm or screw and a finger-piece connected nation with aseries of types of a series ent positions with reference to said levers,so

as to vary the direction in which thethrust of the levers is received bythe fulcrums.

20. In a typewritin machine, the combination with a series OI type barsof a series of keys, a series of levers between the keys and type bars,ascries of spring fingers which form fulcrums for the levers, a supportfor said spring lingers, and means, including a worm or screw, foradjusting said support.

21. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a series of type barsof a series of keys, 'a series of levers between the keys and type bars,a series of springs to which said evers are pivoted at their fulcrumpoints, a hinged support for said springs, and means, including a fingerpiece, for adjusting said hinged support.

22. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a series of type bars,a series of key levers of the second order connected. thereto, a seriesof springs fingers to which the rear ends of said levers are pivoted, atransverse bar to' which said spring fingers are connected, armsextending from the ends of said. bar and pivoted upon the framework, aworm wheel upon one of said arms, a worm in mesh with said worm wheel,and a finger piece connected to said. worm.

23. In a type'writing machine, the combination of a series of t*')e-bars a series of key-levers connected thereto, a series of fulcrumsin the form of spring fingers connected to the type actions, asupporting device to which said fulcrums are connected, and means forenabling said supporting device to be turned so as to vary the action ofsaid fulcrums.

24. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a series of type-bars,a series of key-operated levers connected thereto, a series of fulcrumsin the form of spring fingers having bearings upon said. key levers, and

a pivoted device whereon said i'ulcrums are mounted.

25. In a 'typewriting machine, the combination of a shaft mounted for aturning movement, a finger-piece thereon, a series of fulcrums in theform of springs adjustable by the turning movement of said shaft, aseries justed position.

of levers bearing upon said fulcrums, and a series or types associatedwith said levers.

26. In a type'writing machine, the combination of a rocker member, aseries of fulerums in the form of springs adjustable thereby, a seriesof levers'bearing upon said fulcrums, and a series of types associatedwith said levers.

27. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a series of types, aseries of levers for operating the types, a series of springlingersattached. to said levers and serving as fulcrums therefor, a bar upon.whichs'aid spring-fingers are mounted, said bar being mounted. to rockupon the framework, and means, including a revoluble 'Iing'erpiece, forrocking said bar and holding it in its ad- 28. In. a typcwritingmachine, the combination with types and levers which operate the types,of springs which serve as fulcrums for the levers, said springsadjustable to offer difi 'erent resistance to the levers, andindependent springs for returning the levers.

29. In a typewriting machine, the corn bination with a bar and a seriesof fulcrums in the form of springs mounted thereon, 0i? a series oflevers connected. to the fulcrums, and, type-bars operated by thelevers.

30. The combination with type-bar levers of a rocker mounted on theframework, of springs projecting from the rocker and form- 1 mg the solefulcrums for the type-bar levers.

31. The combination with a series of typebars and key operated leversconnected thereto, of a shaft extending rearwardly from the keyboard andhaving a' button on its forward end, awvorm. on the rear end of theshaft, a gear engaged by said worm and fixed on a transverse bar, andsprings secured at intervals upon said bar and extend ing to the keylevers, and adjustable by turning said button.

In combination, a bail having thereon a series of yielding fulrcums forkey-levers, and means for adjusting the bail.

33. Thecombination with a set of keyoperated type-operating levers, of arevoluble piece at the keyboard provided with means to vary theresistance of the keys to the touch.

BURNHAM e. ,sTIcKNEYJ Witnesses: I

WM. H. DE LACY,

.GEO. M COPEN'HAVER.

